General CashKey Information

Welcome to the Montgomery County MD, CashKey Incremental Meter Payment System. Now that the County has replaced most of the older mechanical meters with new, electronic meters, we are introducing a new, convenient, method to pay metered parking fees. The CashKey can be used at all electronic meters located in Montgomery County owned garages, lots and on-street locations (cash key cannot be used in garages that do not use electronic meters).

How does the new meter operate?

These meters accept nickels, dimes and quarters and digitally display the purchased time. The hourly rate is shown on the rate plate inside each meter housing. Please remember that these meters only register payments up to the time permitted. They accept the CashKey payments as described below.

How does a CashKey work?

CashKeys are programmed with whatever value the buyer desires with a $1O minimum. When you first insert the CashKey, the meter displays the value remaining on the key. The meter cannot display decimals and displays the value rounded down to the nearest whole dollar. Each time you insert the key and then withdraw it, the appropriate value is deducted from the key and the time purchased is added to the meter.

For your convenience, the County has programmed the meters to operate as follows:

a) Short-Term Meters (maximum duration of three hours or less) - Each insertion will deduct the hourly rate, as shown on the meter, from the value of the key and add one hour of paid time to the meter.

b) Long-Term Meters (maximum duration of more than three hours) - Each insertion will deduct 3 hours of value from the key and add 3 hours of paid time to the meter.

To register additional time on the meter, re-insert and remove the CashKey. The meter cannot credit more time shown on the rate plate inside the meter housing. Excessive insertions will result in unwanted reduction of key value.

The CashKey does not need to be removed completely before reinsertion, so be careful to avoid unintentional waste of key value.

When the desired amount of time has been registered, remove the CashKey from the meter and take it with you. Again, be careful. The meter cannot register more than the maximum time allowed, but it will continue to deduct value from your key each time you insert it into the meter.

If the CashKey is left inserted for more than five seconds, the meter will go into an out-of-order mode until the CashKey is removed. This feature will alert you if you inadvertently leave the CashKey in the meter.

*Please note: If the CashKey is inserted into a meter that has time left, it will not display the remaining value on the key first, but will immediately deduct the value.

What if my CashKey does not work?

CashKeys are extremely durable, and are not affected by exposure to rain or heat, etc. They are not affected by magnetic or x-ray exposures (airport terminals, etc.) Unless the County can determine the amount of funds still left on the damaged key, no refund will be issued. Keys can be exchanged at any time free of charge unless damage results from user abuse. If you experience problems, it is most likely due to a meter malfunction, not the key itself. If you feel the meter is malfunctioning, immediately stop using the key and note the meter number, located on the meter pole, the facility, or on-street location. Please report it to the Division of Parking Management at 240-777-8740.

What if I lose the CashKey?

Without the CashKey, the County has no basis for determining how much value remains on the key, or whether it is found and used by another party to pay for parking. Therefore, no refund of programmed value or deposit can be issued for lost keys. The CashKey is the equivalent of money and replaces the coins otherwise needed to pay the meters. The CashKey is a convenient substitute which can be carried on a key ring.

Can I use coins and the CashKey together?

YES. The electronic meters will accept either one (it can identify and reject foreign coins and slugs). In fact, since the electronic meters will only show the value left on your key in whole dollars, you may wish to have a few coins for those times when your key runs out before you reach the time needed on your meter.

What happens when the CashKey runs out?

When you purchase a CashKey, you pay whatever value you want credited on the key. When the amount programmed on the CashKey begins to run low or reaches a zero balance, you may return it to any location and purchase additional time.